Enjoying cartoons as an adult is looked upon as somewhat strange in mainstream American society. If you think I care much what mainstream society thinks though, you probably have not read my other posts very closely.
Unlike most American kids, I was not exposed to animation through Disney. Some American cartoons made it to Taiwan in my youth (Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles and Captain Planet being the most memorable examples). After I came to the States, I got into shows like Batman and Gargoyles, and as an adult I shameless adore My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Nevertheless, I first came to love the medium through Japanese animation, and I still love it best. Here follows a partial list of my favorite animes and brief explanations of why I loved them (I omitted 'awesome music' after I realized every single one of these shows had awesome music):
This absolutely gorgeous show dealt with both the alienating and unifying power of the Internet through the eyes of a shy adolescent girl who discovers that she may not be what she seems. I can say with confidence that this is the best animated series I have ever seen.
Themes: transhumanism, questioning reality, madness, the power of friendship, and a few other things I cannot touch on without giving away the entire plot.
- Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
Think 'cyberpunk Mission: Impossible'. This show takes place in a future on the cusp of what a
technological singularity. The main character is a badass (and ambiguously lesbian) cyborg who leads a government taskforce specializing in high-tech crime. She and her team find themselves involved in all manner of excitement and intrigue that, among other things, address the struggle between individual freedom and government control.
Themes: transhumanism, cyberpunk, robots (adorable robots that will steal your heart), lots of guns, liberty, memetics, the power of friendship.
This show had a rocky start; fortunately, I can dispel the frustration by spoiling the pilot for you: this show takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has survived by uploading people's minds into computers that simulate the halcyon days just before the end. Think
The Matrix, except nobody has a body anymore. A small group of resistance fighters have found a way to fight back against humanity's mysterious enemies using...giant robots. Oh yeah.
Themes: transhumanism, giant robots, Buddhism, questioning reality, coming of age, the power of friendship.
It is hard not to like a crunchy sci-fi drama/comedy/tragedy with great writing, animation, and voice acting. This show deals mostly with the misadventures of wandering bounty hunters, but also has a darker subplot about a shadowy past the main character just cannot escape. I own a Pembroke Welsh Corgi because of this show.
Themes: transhumanism, space, journey, redemption, martial arts, frakking adorable dogs.
An archetypical super robot anime: reluctant young man is chosen (for mysterious reasons) to pilot a godlike mecha and fight against insanely powerful aliens. I really do not know what else I can say without giving most of the show away. Suffice to say it is a bit of a mind trip (okay, a
lot), but keeps a sense of humor about itself. Also, it features the most bizarre mashup of quantum pseudo-science and Mayan mythology I have ever seen.
Themes: giant robots, questioning reality, music changes the world, coming of age, messing with time.
Steampunk
Count of Monte Cristo with really unusual animation techniques and tasteful homosexual undertones. This show is probably a bit weaker on writing than most of the others here, but if you like animation it is worth checking out just for the interesting use of textures and surreal CG. An absolute visual feast, if nothing else.
Themes: vengeance, redemption, space, coming of age, loyalty, the power of friendship.
Ah, Macross. This storied real robot franchise has existed since before my birth, and has the most awesome mecha design, period. Set in a spacefaring colony beset by hive-minded insectoid aliens, this show holds its massive plot of conspiracy, love, and action together quite admirably. Like its predecessors, this show deals heavily with the concept of music as a weapon--not metaphorically, but literally.
Themes: transhumanism, space, journey, giant robots, music changes the world, love triangle, coming of age, the power of friendship.
This show deals with a modern-day secret agency called Hellsing, headed by the grand-daughter of Abraham Van Helsing (of
Dracula fame), who did not (or
could not) kill Dracula, but bound him with magic. Now 'Alucard' does his mistress's bidding and fights other vampires, whom he regard as pathetic, unworthy creatures. This show is aimed at young men, and makes no attempt to disguise it, what with its huge guns, over-the-top combat sequences, and cute girl with
huge breasts.
Themes: vampires, magic, lots of guns, extremely graphic violence, eyes in places eyes ought not to grow.
Mil-sci-fi meets high school drama, plus a healthy helping of humor. This show follows a young mercenary in an organization with access to mysterious super-advanced technology (read: giant robots). He gets assigned to protect a Japanese high school student, who does not appreciate his hilarious efforts to defend her from various non-threats. Every few episodes, awesome giant robot action ensues. Trust me, it works.
Themes: giant robots, culture clash, loyalty, lots of guns, coming of age.
Kind of
Journey to the West-esque, this show follows a spirited teenaged girl, a stoic ronin, and a wild criminal outcast as they travel across Tokugawa Japan to find...um, some guy that the girl insisted they find. Along the way, they forge an unlikely friendship despite their differences, and get into all kinds of trouble. Fun, lighthearted historical fiction with cool fight scenes and some obligatory surreal moments.
Themes: history, journey, the power of friendship.
No comments:
Post a Comment